Faculty Feature: Oliver Gramlich, PhD

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences faculty members are highly respected in their fields of expertise and involved in many interesting activities in/out of work. Each month this "Faculty Feature" will take an opportunity to share a little about individual faculty members – who they are and what they are up to.

Oliver Gramlich, PhD
Research Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Faculty Member since 2019

Dr. Gramlich is a member of multiple societies and organizations, such as the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG), Society of Neuroscience, and IMSVISUAL Consortium.

Besides his research efforts on Multiple Sclerosis-related optic neuritis and glaucoma, Dr. Gramlich is currently establishing a model of Neuromyelitis optica. Neuromyelitis optica is a devastating autoimmune-mediated disorder that leads to severe vision loss and blindness for which we have no cure. Having reliable preclinical models that faithfully reproduce visual impairment as seen in patients would significantly advance our understanding of disease pathology and would provide an invaluable resource for development of future therapies.

What are your favorite activities, hobbies, or interests outside of work?
I enjoy traveling with my family and exploring new places, especially in hilly terrain. One of my favorite hobbies is backcountry and off-piste skiing - the deeper the snow and steeper the hill, the better.

If you could have one "superhero" power, what would it be?
Teleporting! That would save travel time.

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Dean's List Honors

Arlene Drack, MD, was named on the April Dean's List for a notable and novel scientific award.

Arlene Drack, MD
FFB Canada-Treatment of BBS10 in mouse Bbs10-/- model using Human BBS10 gene in 2 different vectors
Foundation Fighting Blindness FFB Canada

View full list

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Mullins Presents 2021 Norman Ashton Lecture

Submitted by Dr. John Fingert-

Robert Mullins, MS, PhD, was recently honored to deliver the Norman Ashton lecture (virtually) at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The Ashton lecture was established in 1993 with the subject matter to be 'ophthalmic pathology interpreted in its widest sense to include any discipline within the science of disease in relation to the eye'. The title of Dr. Mullins' lecture was "Molecular Pathology of the Choriocapillaris in AMD".

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Iowa Lions Eye Bank | Update

Submitted by Deb Schuett-

The Iowa Lions Eye Bank family welcomed their newest addition last Friday, May 28th at 1:59 pm. Quinn Serene Dockendorf was born to parents Ashley (Constituent Relations Coordinator at ILEB) and Jeff. Although she arrived a few weeks early, she measured 19 inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces. According to Ashley, "We are all adjusting well and big sister Macy already loves her baby sister!" Congratulations to the Dockendorf family of four!  

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Save the Date | Ophthalmology Evening in the Park

Submitted by Denise Rettig-

Mark your calendars for Friday, July 9, 4-8 PM for an ophthalmology evening at City Park! There will be catered food provided, along with outdoor games. This is a THANK YOU for all the hard work this last year and a welcome back to a somewhat more normal next year.

City Park
200 Park Road
Iowa City, IA

More info to come...

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Save the Date | Resident & Fellow Graduation

Join us on Tuesday, June 29 as we celebrate our 2021 graduates!

What: Resident and Fellow Graduation
When: Tuesday, June 29 | Social Hour @ 5:30 PM, Program @ 6:15 PM
Where: Hancher Auditorium, Stanley Cafe, 141 East Park Road

For more information, please contact Laura Pitlick, laura-pitlick@uiowa.edu

View PDF (see where our graduates are heading)

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

Submitted by Caroline Allen-

Email Signatures

Meeting people over email (as we have increasingly done so in the last year) can leave both parties with questions. How do they pronounce their name? Do they use their full name, or do they have a preferred nickname? What are their pronouns? Are there any titles you should use when addressing them? Including the pronunciation of your name, your pronouns, and any preferred nicknames in your email signature conveys the information cleanly and concisely. Formatting could look like:

Jesse Williams (Jess-ie, they, them)

Rebecca "Becky" Lance, (Beck-ee, she, hers)

Dr. Duckstein (Duck-stine, she, hers)

• You can read more about pronouns here: https://bit.ly/3yPFOqa
• This is a Name Pronunciation Guide: https://bit.ly/3yRES4R

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Family Graduates

This department recognizes the important role that our families play in our lives. The graduation supplement is one way we acknowledge the accomplishments of those who support us behind the scenes.

Congratulations to all the graduates and to their family members in the Ophthalmology Department!

COLLEGE | POST GRADUATE
Kenna Short, daughter of Jim and Lori Short, graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Psychology. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and with University honors. In the fall, Kenna will be volunteering abroad before continuing her education in a Master's program in Spring 2022.	Haley Wolf, daughter of Darcy and Scott Wolf, graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's degree in Health Promotion and minors in Psychology and Music. She graduated with High Distinction and University Honors. She plans to take a gap year and then apply to graduate school to pursue a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
HIGH SCHOOL
Griselda Michelle Diaz, daughter of Griselda and Victor Diaz, graduated from Columbus Community High School. Michelle is Class Salutatorian and President of National Honor Society. She will be attending The University of Iowa in the Fall to major in Health and Human Physiology and minor in Nutrition after receiving her Bachelor's Degree she plans on continuing her education to become a Physician Assistant.	Anya Li Drack Emerson, daughter of Arlene Drack and Bill Emerson, graduated from West High School in Iowa City. Anya was an AP Scholar of Distinction, played saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble (before covid), and did competition dance (partly during covid, wearing a mask).  She will attend Purdue University where she received a Presidential Scholarship to study Engineering. Anya was a "patient model" for department photos when she was in kindergarten; recently she posed beside her childhood picture, which is part of the display in the entry hallway of our Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.	Damon Hoback, stepson of Andrea Hoback, graduated from Burlington High School, Burlington, KS. After graduation, Damon will be attending Baker University and wrestling for the Baker University Wildcats.
Gauge Storm, son of Michelle Snyder, graduated at semester from Columbus Community High School. Gauge has been accepted for the Fall 2022 Powerline program at Northwest Community College.

There's still time! If you have a family member (son, daughter, grandchild, spouse, etc.) graduating from school this year, please send their information and a photo to kelsey-hunold@uiowa.edu. We want to include everyone!

Information needed:
1. Graduate's name, and relationship to you
2. What school they are graduating from
3. Graduation honors (if you want that included)
4. Plans after graduation (i.e. college, graduate school, job)
5. A photo (snapshot or senior picture - digital or loan me a photo to scan)
For a refresher, here is a link to last year's Update entry - 2019: https://bit.ly/2KyFKDu  2020: https://bit.ly/3v6t2RA

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Tips from the Library

Submitted by Caroline Allen-

The JAMA Network is making all of its Covid-19 articles open access. Here is a link to this week's publications: https://bit.ly/3cbqXwF

Contact Caroline at Caroline-Allen@uiowa.edu if you would like to do further research on this topic.

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Faculty Publications | May 2021

M. A. Kass, D. K. Heuer, E. J. Higginbotham, R. K. Parrish, C. L. Khanna, J. D. Brandt, J. B. Soltau, C. A. Johnson, J. L. Keltner, J. B. Huecker, B. S. Wilson, L. Liu, J. P. Miller, H. A. Quigley, M. O. Gordon and O. H. S. Grp. Assessment of Cumulative Incidence and Severity of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Among Participants in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study After 20 Years of Follow-up. Jama Ophthalmology 2021; Online ahead of print. PMCID: PMC8050785 url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33856434/ doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2021.0341

K. H. Yom, B. A. Simmons, L. E. Hock, N. A. Syed, K. D. Carter, M. J. Thurtell and E. M. Shriver. A direct transcutaneous approach to infraorbital nerve biopsy. Orbit 2021; Online ahead of print. PMID: 33951986 PMCID: url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33951986/ doi: 10.1080/01676830.2021.1920041

S. Umesalma, C. A. Kaemmer, C. K. Maharjan, J. L. Kohlmeyer, D. Goldfard, E. Wilkerson, R. M. Sheehy, M. R. Sheehy, M. R. Leidinger, D. K. Meyerholz, S. Bell, G. Zamba, T. M. O'Dorisio, J. Dillion, A. Scott, P. H. Ear, T. A. Braun, J. R. Howe, C. Chandrasekharan, A. M. Bellizzi, L. Herring, L. M. Graves, B. W. Darbro and D. E. Quelle. Efficacy of Combined MEK and CDK Targeted Therapies for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

V. R. Mantripragada, V. Luangphakdy, B. Hittle, K. Powell, B. A. Tucker and G. F. Muschler. Automating induced pluripotent stem cell manufacturing process for quality and efficient cell production.

I. C. Han. Seafans to Sunbursts: From History to the Horizon in Sickle Cell Retinopathy. Retina 2021; Online ahead of print. PMID: 33990117 url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33990117/ doi: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003206

E. Boroda, M. Armstrong, C. S. Gilmore, C. Gentz, A. Fenske, M. Fiecas, T. Hendrickson, D. Roediger, B. Mueller, R. Kardon and K. Lim. Network topology changes in chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Neuroimage Clin 2021;31, p. 102691. PMID: 34023667 url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34023667/ doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102691

K. Becker, H. Klein, E. Simon, C. Viollet, C. Haslinger, G. Leparc, C. Schultheis, V. Chong, M. H. Kuehn, F. Fernandez-Albert and R. A. Bakker. In-depth transcriptomic analysis of human retina reveals molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic retinopathy. Sci Rep 2021;11(1): 10494.  PMID: 34006945 PMCID: PMC8131353 url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34006945/ doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88698-3

S. Priya, Y. Liu, C. Ward, N. H. Le, N. Soni, R. Pillenahalli Maheshwarappa, V. Monga, H. Zhang, M. Sonka and G. Bathla. Machine learning based differentiation of glioblastoma from brain metastasis using MRI derived radiomics. Sci Rep 2021;11(1): 10478.  PMID: 34006893 url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34006893/ doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90032-w

T. E. Tan, H. W. Chan, M. Singh, T. Y. Wong, J. S. Pulido, M. Michaelides, E. H. Sohn and D. Ting. Artificial intelligence for diagnosis of inherited retinal disease: an exciting opportunity and one step forward. Br J Ophthalmol 2021;Online ahead of print. PMID: 34031045 url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34031045/ doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-319365  

C. Tran and W. L. M. Alward. Phakomatosis Pigmentovascularis. Ophthalmol Glaucoma 2021;4(3): 250.  PMID: 34030827 url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2589419621000624?via%3Dihub doi: 10.1016/j.ogla.2021.03.003

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COVID-19 Updates and Resources

New PPE guidelines as of May 20, 2021: https://bit.ly/3u0GghT

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Below are some resources shared by the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and Hardin Library for Health Sciences in regard to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19):

• 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
• Hardin LibGuide
• For patients

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• Ophthalmology COVID-19 Resources
  • A link to the recent AAO EyeSmart 'Coronavirus Eye Safety' article for patients has been added to the page.
    

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From the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

• Alert: Important coronavirus (COVID-19) updates for ophthalmologists from the American Academy of Ophthalmology

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Wellness Corner

Submitted by Tonya Looker-

 

Summer Campus Wellness Scavenger Hunt IS BANK! (June 1 - August 31)

Campus Wellness Scavenger Hunt IS BACK! (June 1- Aug. 31)

The 2021 Campus Wellness Scavenger Hunt is a ten destination, self-paced activity that you can complete by visiting each location physically or virtually. Appreciating and learning about various art treasures on our campus can enhance your well-being. Click HERE to register for the program and receive emails with opportunities to learn more about these works all summer long!

If anyone is interested in walking the scavenger as a group, please send me an email!! We can take 4 lunch breaks and hit as many locations as possible. 

If you have pictures of you hunting, please share!

Register* for CDC Diabetes Prevention Program

New groups begin in late July in the liveWELL Lifestyles Diabetes Prevention Program (a research-based program from the CDC).  Register* now to attend a 30-minute info session in June or July – and watch videos at the liveWELL website to learn more and hear success stories from current participants.   

*Register for liveWELL Diabetes Prevention Program Info session in  Self Service, My Career, My Training.

Well-Being for Return to Campus - Wellness Grants

One of the ways that The University of Iowa supports and promotes a culture that supports health and well-being is through a Wellness Grant.  Help your work group flourish by applying for a wellness grant to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.  Learn more at the liveWELL website about what type of activities are funded and how your department can apply for a Wellness Grant.

On Demand Videos – Take a "Wellness" Minute

Visit the liveWELL Video Resources website for on-demand videos, including the latest "Healthy Meals in 20 Minutes or Less."  Topics cover healthy meal planning, plant-based eating, mindfulness, meditation, resilience, emotional well-being, and physical activity.  Use these video resources as a "wellness" minute for yourself or on the agenda at a team or department meeting.

Take Your 2021 Personal Health Assessment
Take 10 minutes to complete your 2021 PHA in My liveWELL Portal in Self-Service, Benefits & Wellness. You'll receive: 

• A tailored feedback report and 100 liveWELL points (to spend in the Wellness Store).
• Entry in a monthly drawing for $250 (two winners every month). 
• Eligibility for the Recreational Membership Incentive Program and other health/wellness classes

Free health coaching to work on areas you want to improve related to your well-being.

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Geek Speak

Thinking of buying a computer?
Make sure to check out the Employee Discount Program to save on computer hardware, software, and accessories. The discounts are available to all employees and are not limited to computer equipment.

Contact Ophthalmology IT
We appreciate your patience as our IT group returns to full strength. Using these contact methods helps us prioritize your request:
Phone:  78107
Email:  OphthIT@healthcare.uiowa.edu
ESC Portal:  https://service.healthcare.uiowa.edu (New to ESC? Learn how to submit a help desk ticket)

Tips & Tricks
Click HERE for a list of mini training videos.
If you've got ideas for what you'd like training on, please shoot Jess an email: Jessica-Bramow@uiowa.edu

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Lectures and Conferences